Morphometric Analysis of Soldier Caste from Genus Coptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Members of the genus Coptotermes from the family of Rhinotermitidae are known as having a large opening of the frontal gland (fontanelle) and they have been categorized as a pest species of termites. These members can cause serious economic damage and severe infestation on agricultural and urban structures. The morphological variation among species have been led to unresolved taxonomic because of confusing identification. The taxonomy of this genus is particularly difficult because of many of the species found described are morphologically very similar and have been separated only based on small differences in size. Measurement form is a very important component in term of study the external character as wel I as for identification of species. A total of 107 soldier's individuals represented three species of this genus were recorded and measured with 17 morphological measurements of external body from three different localities. Resulted data were statistically analyzed for mean, standard deviation, standard error, coefficient of variance and analysis of variance (Model I ANOV A). The data later were constructed in cluster analysis by using Min.itab version 17. From this study, two major clusters where each species was distinctly separated. This study provides the review of the morphological variation of genus Coptotermes from selected localities by using morphometric characters